NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm O- which makes me the universal donor. I give as often as I can.

I'm O- which makes me the universal donor. I give as often as I can.

*takes Ecosoc's blood*

I give regularly.

I take blood. blah!

Yep, I donate. Some people can't, and many people won't - so that makes it even more important that those of us who can and will, do so.

Give early, give often.

i haven't done because my sexual history is a little murky and i'd want to get my self tested out first. plus i heard you're not allowed if you've fucked a guy in the arse, because gays are so fucking filthy. i recently signed up as an organ donor though.

I do as often as I can, only for the free biscuits and coffee though.

I'm O- which makes me the universal donor. I give as often as I can.
lucky. you're a blood mine.

I would ant to donate blood.

how does one know what blood type one is?

lucky. you're a blood mine.

I would ant to donate blood.

*donates B&N's blood*

No. It's illegal for me to.

how does one know what blood type one is?

Well, I offer free taste tests...
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/Sarothai/Smileys/Sinister.gif

how does one know what blood type one is?

One gets one's blood drawn and tested.

No. It's illegal for me to.

Do you mind if I ask why?

how does one know what blood type one is?
Had myself tested. O+ for me. But if you donate, you'll get tested at the same time.
*donates B&N's blood*
Hey, we'd be using that for black puddings! :mad::p

how does one know what blood type one is?

After you donate blood, the blood donation folks send you a letter which tells you which blood type you are. I suppse otherwise you could give a blood sample to your doctor and they would tell you. probably.
i'm A+.
I've donated twice and now i just can't be bothered.

I have a fundamental problem with the ad campaign a while back to get people to donate blood where the slogan was "Blood: It's in you to give."

Now, any idiot can know that you die if you lose too much blood. Thus blood is in you to keep, because the loss of it makes you be dead. This is my fundamental problem with their stupidity. A better ad campaign slogan might have made me want to donate, but they made me not want to.

I don't know what type I am. I am just over the starting age, but don't feel I'm ready to do it. I'm uncomfortable with losing my blood, even for a blood test.

Do you mind if I ask why?

Men who have (had) sex with men (a man) aren't allowed to donate blood.

how does one know what blood type one is?

My mom told me what mine is... I'm A-.

I think I'd be uncomfortable with giving blood. I had a blood test recently to make sure that I'm healthy and they had to use double of the thing that wrapped around and hurt to be able to see my veins and I think they had to use a butterfly needle or something. I think I'd be nervous that I'd collapse or something if they took more than they did for the blood test, which they would for donating blood, I think...

I'm O- which makes me the universal donor. I give as often as I can.

*drinks Ecosoc's blood*

mmm, like a fine wine

Men who have (had) sex with men (a man) aren't allowed to donate blood.

That seems like a rather silly restriction to me.

I'm not allowed to. sorry.

Can't. Would if I could though.

That seems like a rather silly restriction to me.

One virtually global.

I want to, but can´t. My latest tattoo keeps me from it. Over here you have to wait at least 2 years after a tattoo or piercing in order to be able to donate blood.

OMGWTFNEEDLESGETAWAY!

So no.

I did, but I couldn't/can't for a year because I went to eastern Turkey.

Nope, not allowed.

My mom told me what mine is... I'm A-.
My mom told me what mine was..O+...

...Then I had it checked later in life...it is B+


But to answer the OP, no I have never donated blood. I was always afraid of needles when I was younger. Now, I just never really thought about it.

I am O+. I use to donate blood a lot. I haven't in a long time just because I am neither in school or the military anymore where I previously came across blood drives.

One virtually global.

Still silly if you ask me.

I did, but I couldn't/can't for a year because I went to eastern Turkey.

Yeah that is funny how some travel precludes one from giving blood. I have been turned away too because of it. I understand the small chance of there being a problem. However it is a great excuse to not give it. Someone asks and you just say "oh, yeah great but I just got back from Africa. Is that a problem?"

Still silly if you ask me.

Well, I don't.

My mom told me what mine was..O+...

...Then I had it checked later in life...it is B+


But to answer the OP, no I have never donated blood. I was always afraid of needles when I was younger. Now, I just never really thought about it.
yeah, my mom was an A+ and my dad was an A+ and I'm O+ something's def. wrong with that.......my mother says my blood test "must have been wrong" but I know the truth........I'm not related to those idiots! haha!

Not allowed either.

It would probably kill someone :p

My mom told me what mine is... I'm A-.

I think I'd be uncomfortable with giving blood. I had a blood test recently to make sure that I'm healthy and they had to use double of the thing that wrapped around and hurt to be able to see my veins and I think they had to use a butterfly needle or something. I think I'd be nervous that I'd collapse or something if they took more than they did for the blood test, which they would for donating blood, I think...

"I could save multiple lives, but I'm worried that it will be momentarily uncomfortable..."

Not a good excuse really.

Yeah that is funny how some travel precludes one from giving blood. I have been turned away too because of it. I understand the small chance of there being a problem. However it is a great excuse to not give it. Someone asks and you just say "oh, yeah great but I just got back from Africa. Is that a problem?"

Makes some sense, though. Don't want Malaria laden blood infesting their blood supply, do they?

yeah, my mom was an A+ and my dad was an A+ and I'm O+ something's def. wrong with that.......my mother says my blood test "must have been wrong" but I know the truth........I'm not related to those idiots! haha!

There isn't anything wrong. Two A parents can still get an O child. Wiki has a nice table: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABO_blood_group_system#Inheritance

Needles scare the yitt out of me, and just the thought of having blood drawn makes me twitch and cringe (I had blood taken at the hospital once, and it was horrific).

There isn't anything wrong. Two A parents can still get an O child. Wiki has a nice table: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABO_blood_group_system#Inheritance

:( but........but.......:(

don't confuse me with facts!

:( but........but.......:(

don't confuse me with facts!

Sorry. Next time I'll grant you clarity with religion.

I gave blood every year in High School when they had the blood drives, they dont seem to do them here in College so i havent really gave since, but its only been a year...

Besides, my blood type is very inspiring, its B+:rolleyes:

Explanation of blood types.

http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2007/02/abo-blood-types.html

Well, I don't.

still silly even if you don't ask me.

still silly even if you don't ask me.

homophobia aside, anal sex is really high risk behavior (as far as sex goes) I wonder often why they don't ask straight people the anal question

I used to. Then my blood reacted funny with one of their tests so I'm not allowed anymore (even though there isn't anything wrong with me).

homophobia aside, anal sex is really high risk behavior (as far as sex goes) I wonder often why they don't ask straight people the anal question

Is it?

I always thought that the whole thing was a throwback to the 'AIDS is a gay/drug-user disease' thing.

Is it?

I always thought that the whole thing was a throwback to the 'AIDS is a gay/drug-user disease' thing.

according to the CDC, yes.

The thing is, anal sex has a greater chance of tearing and stuff......as far as I understand.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5338a1.htm

I used to donate regularly back home, but the closest blood donation place is the Red Cross station which is 30 to 40 minutes away from where I currently live and work so... right now no.

Pity though, I'm also O- and have no problem with donating or doing a double donation.

I used to donate regularly back home, but the closest blood donation place is the Red Cross station which is 30 to 40 minutes away from where I currently live and work so... right now no.

Pity though, I'm also O- and have no problem with donating or doing a double donation.

I always wondered about that. Do you feel much different when you double donate compared to just the standard pint of whole?

I take antibiotics, which for some reason means I can't donate.

according to the CDC, yes.

The thing is, anal sex has a greater chance of tearing and stuff......as far as I understand.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5338a1.htm

*turns soapbox over and hops up*

Which is why solid excrement comes out the anus, to deter one from such risky behaviors.

God save the Queen.

I take antibiotics, which for some reason means I can't donate.

You just randomly taking antibiotics? :D

You just randomly taking antibiotics? :DWell I didn't think that surface infections could spread in the blood. That would be weird.

You just randomly taking antibiotics? :D

I don't think you read into the post enough.

"I take antibiotics"
Take could mean steal, which probably means the poster was at one point in prison, dropped the soap, and probably engaged in some anal sex(willingly or no). This alone is enough to disallow someone to donate blood.

I don't think you read into the post enough.

"I take antibiotics"
Take could mean steal, which probably means the poster was at one point in prison, dropped the soap, and probably engaged in some anal sex(willingly or no). This alone is enough to disallow someone to donate blood.

It always makes me mad when they allow prisoners freedoms that the rest of us enjoy. I for one am for taking the internet away from the prison population. Vietnamsounds no offense to you. I am sure you are one of the "good behavior" prisoners.

Well I didn't think that surface infections could spread in the blood. That would be weird.

Flesh eating bacteria can be nasty.

I always wondered about that. Do you feel much different when you double donate compared to just the standard pint of whole?
Afterwards not really, though it does take me a bit longer to recover (After a normal donation I usually don't wait the 15 minutes because I don't feel a thing, but after a double I need a bit of a break). During through having it put back in feels really weird.

I can't donate blood. They don't like anemic people.

I used to go to the donor sessions regularly, although they wouldn't always take a pint due to thinking I was too scrawny or being slightly anaemic. In 2000 I got falciparum malaria so they won't consider taking my blood until at least 2010, if at all.

btw Smunkee, I've always been asked questions about specific sexual acts, not about my sexuality - not sure if that's different in the US.

No.

I used to but I can't anymore. Summit about Anti E Antibodies?

I used to, but I'm not allowed anymore... stupid law ban people who went to a tropical country in the latest 3 years to give blood... and since I went to Ecuador and Venezuela one year ago, going to Cuba this year, and planning to do trips to South America once every one or two years... I'm banned :(

I used to, but I'm not allowed anymore... stupid law ban people who went to a tropical country in the latest 3 years to give blood... and since I went to Ecuador and Venezuela one year ago, going to Cuba this year, and planning to do trips to South America once every one or two years... I'm banned :(

Of course what is quite funny about this, is the litle sad face. You obivouly know the procedure, so why go to
these countries if you want to continue giving blood?

Like me with my tats, I made the desicion to get them even though I knew every one would be a year of no blood giving.

I don't, but I wouldn't mind it, maybe I should search where I can do that.

"I could save multiple lives, but I'm worried that it will be momentarily uncomfortable..."

Not a good excuse really.

Or that I could faint or something, like I have once and like I feel and look like I'm going to whenever I have my period, and I'm just barely above the minimum weight for it... and if the school blood drives made it after school instead of having you miss class to do it maybe I would consider it, but missing AP classes messes everything up, especially so close to the AP exams. Plus all of the school blood drives are over for this year, anyway...

And I'm scared because I don't know what it would be like or if they would hurt me or make it bruised, like happened with the blood test. Maybe I will try someday but I'm too scared, like I am of pretty much every new medical thing that happens to me when I don't know what's going to happen. They all make me almost throw up. I'd have to deal with people, I don't like dealing with people, they're scary.

Yes. I'm O+ and can donate to anyone with a + in their type. I generally give when the bloodmobile comes to my university, but couldn't be arsed to make a hospital appointment. Lord only knows what I'll do when I graduate in... 25 days.

I don't agree with their policies, but unless I can find another agency that collects blood, I'll stick with the Red Cross.

A few clarifications about sexuality: They ban gay men who've put their pole in another guy's arse or mouth, but not straight men who've had hetero anal or oral with a woman. This isn't about "specific sexual acts," it's about keeping those filthy faggots from polluting the blood supply.

Want proof? A woman who was raped in the past 12 months is deferred for 12 months, presumably long enough for HIV to show up in a blood test. A gay man who took it up the bum is barred for life. Does being gay mean your HIV won't show up in a test? /me wonders how Rock Hudson knew he was HIV+.

BTW, I would have thought that Sweden, of all places, would have stricter laws banning such discrimination.

Not allowed, lived in GB in the 80s

I donated once. I got free cookie.

A few clarifications about sexuality: They ban gay men who've put their pole in another guy's arse or mouth, but not straight men who've had hetero anal or oral with a woman. This isn't about "specific sexual acts," it's about keeping those filthy faggots from polluting the blood supply.

Want proof? A woman who was raped in the past 12 months is deferred for 12 months, presumably long enough for HIV to show up in a blood test. A gay man who took it up the bum is barred for life. Does being gay mean your HIV won't show up in a test? /me wonders how Rock Hudson knew he was HIV+.

BTW, I would have thought that Sweden, of all places, would have stricter laws banning such discrimination.
It's the same in the UK, unfortunately. Apparently this (http://www.blood.co.uk/pdfdocs/position_statement_exclusion.pdf)is their reasoning.

I'm anemic - I can't.

It's the same in the UK, unfortunately. Apparently this (http://www.blood.co.uk/pdfdocs/position_statement_exclusion.pdf)is their reasoning.

Seems like an valid reason to me.

Yes. I'm O+ and can donate to anyone with a + in their type. I generally give when the bloodmobile comes to my university, but couldn't be arsed to make a hospital appointment. Lord only knows what I'll do when I graduate in... 25 days.

I don't agree with their policies, but unless I can find another agency that collects blood, I'll stick with the Red Cross.

A few clarifications about sexuality: They ban gay men who've put their pole in another guy's arse or mouth, but not straight men who've had hetero anal or oral with a woman. This isn't about "specific sexual acts," it's about keeping those filthy faggots from polluting the blood supply.

Want proof? A woman who was raped in the past 12 months is deferred for 12 months, presumably long enough for HIV to show up in a blood test. A gay man who took it up the bum is barred for life. Does being gay mean your HIV won't show up in a test? /me wonders how Rock Hudson knew he was HIV+.

BTW, I would have thought that Sweden, of all places, would have stricter laws banning such discrimination.

Do they ask chicks if they've had anal too? Because in all fairness, if they're going to ban gays who take it up the ass, they may as well ban chicks who have too.

Why don't they just make you have a blood test first? Anyone with anything wrong with them shouldn't be giving blood.

Do they ask chicks if they've had anal too? Because in all fairness, if they're going to ban gays who take it up the ass, they may as well ban chicks who have too.

Why don't they just make you have a blood test first? Anyone with anything wrong with them shouldn't be giving blood.

No, they don't - at least not in the United States. They don't seem to care if a girl's had anal or oral.

They do test every blood sample - HIV takes months to appear in a test. That's why the one-year deferral for women who were raped.

Do they ask chicks if they've had anal too? Because in all fairness, if they're going to ban gays who take it up the ass, they may as well ban chicks who have too.



from the link posted a few posts above this:

Men who have sex with
men continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV and account for 63% of
HIV diagnoses where the infection was likely to have been acquired in the
UK.1

You see, there is a large epidemiological connection between men having sex with men which might not (I don't have sources on this) exist between girls having anal sex.
I don't believe this is about discriminating against gays (they're allowed to donate, unless they've had anal or oral sex with another man) rather than risk management. It seems pretty logical to me.

Why don't they just make you have a blood test first? Anyone with anything wrong with them shouldn't be giving blood.

It would be rather impractical to take a test before you give blood, and probably many people wouldn't do it. They do have blood tests on the blood if it's already taken, but tests aren't 100% precise. A small amount of blood might have been infected, that's why they screen donors. Those with a higher risk for diseases (people who have piercings, have been to a foreign country, men who have had sex with other men etc) are excluded to further reduce the risk of contamination.

Seems like an valid reason to me.
I don't like it, but I don't really see an alternative at the present.

Or that I could faint or something, like I have once and like I feel and look like I'm going to whenever I have my period, and I'm just barely above the minimum weight for it... and if the school blood drives made it after school instead of having you miss class to do it maybe I would consider it, but missing AP classes messes everything up, especially so close to the AP exams. Plus all of the school blood drives are over for this year, anyway...

And I'm scared because I don't know what it would be like or if they would hurt me or make it bruised, like happened with the blood test. Maybe I will try someday but I'm too scared, like I am of pretty much every new medical thing that happens to me when I don't know what's going to happen. They all make me almost throw up. I'd have to deal with people, I don't like dealing with people, they're scary.

Still not good excuses. That said, I'm not saying that you *should* donate. It's a personal choice.

I'd give freely now, but can't because I'm ill.

Before I got ill, I probably wouldn't have. I didn't like the thought of blood coming out of me. I *NEEDED* that blood ;)

Yeah that is funny how some travel precludes one from giving blood. I have been turned away too because of it. I understand the small chance of there being a problem. However it is a great excuse to not give it. Someone asks and you just say "oh, yeah great but I just got back from Africa. Is that a problem?"

Traveling anywhere, by definition, makes you a potential disease vector. This is even more true when you travel to a tropical region or a less developed country where the water and sanitation may not be up to par. So I guess it makes sense to enforce some quarantine time after you've been abroad.

I don't, but I wouldn't mind it, maybe I should search where I can do that.

I think if you went to your nearest GP practice or hospital they'd be glad to arrange taking your blood. In the UK they are crying out for blood donations. On second thoughts i think a hospital would be better equipped to take your blood.

I'm O+, though not quite a true universal donor.

See, as for my pristine RBC's, yeah, I can donate to anybody RH+, or to an RH- once, if they have never had an RH+ transfusion before.

But plasma? Nope. See, the O+ type is actually a universal recipient for plasma. If they donate, then all of those terrible A and B antibodies will enter the blood stream, and that is bad. When it comes to that, the AB guys are the universal donors, and the O guys (yours truly) are the takers. Granted, this does not take into account the hh people (Bombay blood-type), but their rarity and unique blood typing isn't helpful for this discussion.

I'm O+ and CMV-.

I try to give double red about every 16 weeks.

I think if you went to your nearest GP practice or hospital they'd be glad to arrange taking your blood. In the UK they are crying out for blood donations. On second thoughts i think a hospital would be better equipped to take your blood.

I think that it was in the news not to long ago that there was enough blood for the first time. Anyway, blood donation is frequently organized here, so I guess I'll go then.

I can't donate...my blood pressure is too low...however I do donate pudding skins, boogers, and the dead bugs I find on my window sill :D

I'm O- which makes me the universal donor. I give as often as I can.

Same situation with me. I would donate more (red platelets) but the closest donation centers are a good 45 minute drive out. Every May Stanford blood collection centers set up shop at the local high school, which is where I donate.

I wonder how the compensation differs from country to country and from town to town. In Paderborn/Germany where I live you get some food if you give at the Red Cross, but there also is a donation central where you get 15 Euro for plasma and 20 Euro for full blood donations. Plasma donations are usually given very regularly, twice or even trice a week, but are limited to some 40 donations per year.

Do they ask chicks if they've had anal too? Because in all fairness, if they're going to ban gays who take it up the ass, they may as well ban chicks who have too.

No. But they do ask us if we've ever had sex with a man who's had sex with another man since 1979. (I think that's the date)

Why don't they just make you have a blood test first? Anyone with anything wrong with them shouldn't be giving blood.

They do blood tests as well. They take 5 or 6 different vials of blood for testing. But tests can miss things and there are incubation periods for some diseases during which they don't necessarily show up, so they look for risk factors as well.

Unfortunately, they have decided that male gay sex at any point in one's lifetime is automatically a risk factor, which I think is bullshit. Even if gay men are more likely to engage in unsafe sex (and I'm not convinced that this is true), it would still make more sense to ask about the actual sexual practices than to assume that every gay man is the same (or that straight guys are somehow automatically safer).

Unfortunately, they have decided that male gay sex at any point in one's lifetime is automatically a risk factor, which I think is bullshit. Even if gay men are more likely to engage in unsafe sex (and I'm not convinced that this is true), it would still make more sense to ask about the actual sexual practices than to assume that every gay man is the same (or that straight guys are somehow automatically safer).

Which would be why I said it is a rather silly restriction.
Which for some reason seemed to annoy Fass...

I always wondered about that. Do you feel much different when you double donate compared to just the standard pint of whole?

I don't, but when I tried to give platelets I got really queasy.

When you give double, you actually leave better hydrated than when you showed up, so some of the problems that happen when many people give whole blood may not be an issue with double.

But when they pump the plasma and saline back in at room temperature, it's really cold. It makes me cold all over and my face gets all tingly.

I have a fundamental problem with the ad campaign a while back to get people to donate blood where the slogan was "Blood: It's in you to give."

Now, any idiot can know that you die if you lose too much blood. Thus blood is in you to keep, because the loss of it makes you be dead. This is my fundamental problem with their stupidity. A better ad campaign slogan might have made me want to donate, but they made me not want to.

Oh, for fuck's sake. I'm sorry, but that might well be the lamest excuse I've ever heard for damn near anything.

Which would be why I said it is a rather silly restriction.
Which for some reason seemed to annoy Fass...

Don't worry, that's a VERY easy thing to do. Don't take it personally.

Don't worry, that's a VERY easy thing to do. Don't take it personally.

I don't, I think its rather funny.

I'm a couple of pints short of a three-gallon pin. I started donating in 2000 when I realized that I'd had enough blood drawn to make the vein a tap anyway (I was one of the first patients to try Depakote for petit-mal epilepsy, and they had to test liver function every two or three weeks), and I should get off my ass and help blood banks save lives.

I got over needle phobia and can actually rate sticks for quality -- I haven't had a bad stick in three years. And really, a bad stick is tolerable for the duration of a donation, and whatever pain there is goes away quickly. I'm A+, and I feel that while it may not be an exact duty for me, it does make me feel like I'm contributing something to society.

I would never be one of those who harangue others to donate, but I would ask that if there's no needle phobia and no medical reasons, that you'd at least consider it once a season.

I don't, I think its rather funny.

Me too.

Yes, O+ here. Though the last time I went they turned me away. Unfortunately my haemoglobin level was too low (12.5g/dl and it should be at least 13.5). I'll be back though. They can't keep me away forever!

There's a blood donation in my school today, and I'm not going. I just don't have the time.

I sure hope I won't die from lack of blood for transfusion, though, because that would be ironic. I'm fairly confident I will die in a much stupider fashion.

Still not good excuses. That said, I'm not saying that you *should* donate. It's a personal choice.

I'd give freely now, but can't because I'm ill.

Before I got ill, I probably wouldn't have. I didn't like the thought of blood coming out of me. I *NEEDED* that blood ;)

I feel like I should but I'm scared.

Im way to lazy to donate blood

i do.

I feel like I should but I'm scared.
your body, your choice Chandy. You should try to get over needle phobia, but if you've had a lot of bad experiences, it makes it harder. I have horrible veins and it's hard for them to get blood, I've found that closing my eyes and counting helps with the anxiety (or if I'm super anxious I try to do math equations in my head, or make up a story). If at all possible make sure you are super hydrated when you go to give blood, drink a bottle of water on the way, being dehydrated at all can make them finding a vein much harder. Tell them when you first start which arm has been better in the past and that they have had to use the butterfly on you before (which btw is the same gauge of needle, it's just more flexy... so if they want to use the regular one, you will be fine, you've already done one that big!).

ask for a sticker when you are done! I always do, after getting pricked 4 times, I deserve a prize!

I tried, but they didn't want it. I've got a low amount of iron in my blood, apparently.

ask for a sticker when you are done! I always do, after getting pricked 4 times, I deserve a prize!
Not just stickers - unlimited daytime TV, cups of tea and free bourbon biscuits afterwards!

Not just stickers - unlimited daytime TV, cups of tea and free bourbon biscuits afterwards!

It's nutter butters here. Apparently, they tried to get rid of them and use other cookies, but people complained.

I feel like I should but I'm scared.

That's understandable -- giving blood is, in a way, voluntary micro-trauma. When I went the first time, I did like Smunkee, only not equations. I imagined people in need of blood getting the transfusions they require to survive their major traumas. I know that sounds a bit holier-than, but it really helped. I figured, if I can get through a needle stick that could help someone who's been in a rollover at 70mph survive, then it's worth it.

Fears are supposed to be faced, Chandi. Look at it this way -- if you're like me, and heights reduce you to exerting your utmost control to avoid becoming a freaked-out child (which is embarrassing if your first date involves a ferris wheel), giving blood (and the associated fears) could be one step on the way to conquering slightly larger or deeper fears. I'm no psychiatrist, but I've helped one ex get over her fear of water after a near drowning as an 11-year-old. And she's Greek: not liking water when you're on Santorini is almost a crime. I bought her a kiddie pool one summer, and then went through public wading pools, the shallow end of small pools, the shallow end of an Olympic-size pool, back-floating, face-floating, and eventually, over a year, she re-discovered her inner dolphin after a decade of being too scared to even wade.

You might never conquer all of your fears (though you very well might), but never trying means never conquering any of them. You don't want to live that afraid. It's very lonely and very depressing.

Im way to lazy to donate blood

:rolleyes: But energetic enough to post that to all of us? Even "I'm against it" or "fuck 'em, it's MY blood, if they need it, let 'em PAY for it" is better than "I'm too lazy". It's 45 minutes or less on average, and you spend just about all of it sitting and answering questions or reclining and donating. One lancet stick for the iron test, and one needle stick for the donation, and that's all.

It's nutter butters here. Apparently, they tried to get rid of them and use other cookies, but people complained.

Here in North Dakota, they tend to favor the Little Debbie line. I go with the granola bars. I just kicked the mas-produced-sweets habit, and I'd re-lapse in a heartbeat if I had a caramel-laced swiss roll.

Can't. Too queer to give blood.

Ethically, I can't. I usually just give the Niven Excuse (http://www.rawbw.com/~svw/superman.html).

It's nutter butters here. Apparently, they tried to get rid of them and use other cookies, but people complained.
To be quite honest we've got quite a variety, but I just head for the bourbons first. I don't think I've got the nerve to complain if they took them away though. Could always shop around and find a different centre, I suppose.

Yes /thread

That's understandable -- giving blood is, in a way, voluntary micro-trauma. When I went the first time, I did like Smunkee, only not equations. I imagined people in need of blood getting the transfusions they require to survive their major traumas. I know that sounds a bit holier-than, but it really helped. I figured, if I can get through a needle stick that could help someone who's been in a rollover at 70mph survive, then it's worth it.

Fears are supposed to be faced, Chandi. Look at it this way -- if you're like me, and heights reduce you to exerting your utmost control to avoid becoming a freaked-out child (which is embarrassing if your first date involves a ferris wheel), giving blood (and the associated fears) could be one step on the way to conquering slightly larger or deeper fears. I'm no psychiatrist, but I've helped one ex get over her fear of water after a near drowning as an 11-year-old. And she's Greek: not liking water when you're on Santorini is almost a crime. I bought her a kiddie pool one summer, and then went through public wading pools, the shallow end of small pools, the shallow end of an Olympic-size pool, back-floating, face-floating, and eventually, over a year, she re-discovered her inner dolphin after a decade of being too scared to even wade.

You might never conquer all of your fears (though you very well might), but never trying means never conquering any of them. You don't want to live that afraid. It's very lonely and very depressing.


I probably will try next time it comes here. I just don't know when it will.

I'm scared of a lot of things and always have been. I've overcome some of the fears that I had as a child (old people, elevators, moss), and I overcame a lot of fear to learn how to drive (although I'm still too scared to try to learn how to swim underwater or ride a bike again), but some of them I still have (especially dogs, I panic if I hear a dog bark or if I see a dog).

I was really proud of myself because I managed to have the breast/pelvic exam part of the check-up I had, which was really scary to me. I was panicking and was nauseous and felt like I was about to throw up before it started. I was really scared and it hurt while it was happening and I was laughing uncontrollably throughout because I guess that's how I react to situations that really scare me when there's no way to run away. I survived it somehow, I was proud of myself but I don't think that fear is really conquered yet.

I probably will try next time it comes here. I just don't know when it will.

I'm scared of a lot of things and always have been. I've overcome some of the fears that I had as a child (old people, elevators, moss), and I overcame a lot of fear to learn how to drive (although I'm still too scared to try to learn how to swim underwater or ride a bike again), but some of them I still have (especially dogs, I panic if I hear a dog bark or if I see a dog).

I was really proud of myself because I managed to have the breast/pelvic exam part of the check-up I had, which was really scary to me. I was panicking and was nauseous and felt like I was about to throw up before it started. I was really scared and it hurt while it was happening and I was laughing uncontrollably throughout because I guess that's how I react to situations that really scare me when there's no way to run away. I survived it somehow, I was proud of myself but I don't think that fear is really conquered yet.

Chandy, you forgot squirrels. ;)

Chandy, you forgot squirrels. ;)

They've been watching me! :eek:

I feel like I should but I'm scared.

It's amazing what you can get used to.

I used to have the usual morbid fear of needles, until a few years ago when I started taking weekly injections for a medical condition. Now it's nothing to stick myself, and giving blood for tests and such is dead easy. Stubbing a toe is much more painful and long lasting.

It's amazing what you can get used to.

I used to have the usual morbid fear of needles, until a few years ago when I started taking weekly injections for a medical condition. Now it's nothing to stick myself, and giving blood for tests and such is dead easy. Stubbing a toe is much more painful and long lasting.

Oh.

My mom broke her little toe once by stubbing it on something. Then later after it was mostly better she stubbed it again on the same thing and it broke again.

I used to, years ago. But it has been illegal for me to donate blood for some time.

Oh.

My mom broke her little toe once by stubbing it on something. Then later after it was mostly better she stubbed it again on the same thing and it broke again.

Ouch!! I feel for her. Stubbing your little toe hurts like hell. I can´t imagine if you break it on account of stubbing it.:(

I tried twice in high school, but I never qualified. They kept changing the rules, and I never made their minimum weight limit. So I gave up.

Also, I'm annoyed that donors can't be paid in Canada. In the US donors sell their blood, but here I'm expected just to give it away. No thanks.

I would do, but needles give me a bad case of the willies.

I don't mind the needles, but I wouldn't give the amount of blood they want when I asked about it one time. With my irregular heart, it'd probably knock me out to lose that much blood, and I'm not interested. I think my blood type is pretty common anyway, AB+ I think.

I'm O+ , but I've been told not to donate blood. My iron's high, even when fasting, and for some reason I bruise terribly from needle sticks. Doesn't bother me one bit -- I fainted last time I had blood drawn!

One gets one's blood drawn and tested.

Easier said than done. I had to go to the doctor about a year ago to get something checked (turns out I pulled my rectus abdominus) and I opted for a blood test to figure out my type while I was there.

Apart from taking twice the amount of blood they usually do (one set for the blood test for why I was there, another for the type) and getting charged for it, I was told that they were not at liberty to disclose my results to me for some reason.

I had half a mind to not pay the bill. I owe them money, they owe me a test y'know? But I didn't feel it was worth fighting.

Maybe I should egg the building...

Also, I'm annoyed that donors can't be paid in Canada. In the US donors sell their blood, but here I'm expected just to give it away. No thanks.

Um....no.

I think you can still get payment for giving plasma. I'm not sure on that, though.

I do know that you cannot be paid for giving whole blood. (in the US)

I have, most recently at an inter-college/university competition to see which can get more blood flowing. So far, two have participated, and mine is winning.
However, when I wanted to participate in the Crimson War between UVA and the University of Maryland, I was turned down on account of being too German. And the damn truck stood in front of the building I had most of my classes in the entire week... >=(
My hemoglobin value recently dropped down to 17 though... pity, I may have to eat more Nutella.
i haven't done because my sexual history is a little murky and i'd want to get my self tested out first. plus i heard you're not allowed if you've fucked a guy in the arse, because gays are so fucking filthy. i recently signed up as an organ donor though.Getting yourself tested is quite simple. Just go donate. As for the reasons for being turned away: The German Red Cross has a little self-exclusion barcode sticker that you can put on your form instead of a "you can use my blood" barcode sticker if you've been promiscuous, shooting up, or other reasons you'd rather not reveal by being turned down.
Also, Germans (and British) are too filthy to donate as well.
I donated once. I got free cookie.
I've gotten a free cup with my blood type printed on it and a cloth shopping bag. Although, I do get a bag of food every time I donate.
I got over needle phobia and can actually rate sticks for quality -- I haven't had a bad stick in three years. And really, a bad stick is tolerable for the duration of a donation, and whatever pain there is goes away quickly. I'm A+, and I feel that while it may not be an exact duty for me, it does make me feel like I'm contributing something to society.Hm. I must be doing something wrong then. It hurts like hell the entire time every time I donate.
Also, I'm annoyed that donors can't be paid in Canada. In the US donors sell their blood, but here I'm expected just to give it away. No thanks.
That's rather selfish. The "no money for blood" is meant to avoid creating a market for blood and treating it like any common commodity.

Men who have (had) sex with men (a man) aren't allowed to donate blood.

Wtf?

edit: If they're afraid of gay men being unhealthy, they could always test blood as they do anyway... unless, of course, they assume gayness is contagious ;)

edit2: Forgot about the window period. Still would only make sense to have a certain period instead of a lifetime's ban

O+. Used to be regular when I was in India...once every 6 months or so. In the US there are restrictions on non-citizens with how much time they spent continuously here etc..I managed to give only once.:(

I tried twice in high school, but I never qualified. They kept changing the rules, and I never made their minimum weight limit. So I gave up.

Also, I'm annoyed that donors can't be paid in Canada. In the US donors sell their blood, but here I'm expected just to give it away. No thanks.

They can't be paid here, either. Plasma centers pay for donations, but not blood.

Hm. I must be doing something wrong then. It hurts like hell the entire time every time I donate.

Well, I was speaking from my own perspective, we are all different. I've just gotten used to it, I guess.

Well, I was speaking from my own perspective, we are all different. I've just gotten used to it, I guess.I keep getting told the pain goes away or stops after the initial poke, but it simply isn't the case with me... :mad:

I try to go as often as possible too, however, I thinkt hat I am only at 16 donation, but have a appointment here is may

They can't be paid here, either. Plasma centers pay for donations, but not blood.

Ah, that's right. It's plasma they can pay for, not platelets.


I keep getting told the pain goes away or stops after the initial poke, but it simply isn't the case with me...

Do they always go for the same vein?

Also, do you keep your arm very straight?

I get sort of a stinging during sometimes, but it's usually because the needle has shifted a bit and if they fiddle with it a bit, they can make it go away. Not keeping your arm straight is one way you can shift the needle. I've actually had it hit the side of the vein and make this very odd vibrating noise before that scared the hell out of me. Also caused more bruising. =(

I have a fundamental problem with the ad campaign a while back to get people to donate blood where the slogan was "Blood: It's in you to give."

Now, any idiot can know that you die if you lose too much blood. Thus blood is in you to keep, because the loss of it makes you be dead. This is my fundamental problem with their stupidity. A better ad campaign slogan might have made me want to donate, but they made me not want to.

You do know your blood regenerates right? That you don't go down a quart like a car and need to fill up?

You do know your blood regenerates right? That you don't go down a quart like a car and need to fill up?

Not only does it regenerate, but the process of making it better at regenerating is quite good for you. Not to mention that men can get a buildup of metals that they have no way to expell other than losing blood. It's particularly good for men (as I understand it, anyway).

EDIT: Holy crap. It's like I enjoy being right or something. http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/04/26/give.blood.wmd/

yeah, my mom was an A+ and my dad was an A+ and I'm O+ something's def. wrong with that.......my mother says my blood test "must have been wrong" but I know the truth........I'm not related to those idiots! haha!

My Mom is O+ and my Dad is AB+, so explain to me how I am B-. My parents also told me that they typed me wrong. But, the military, University, and three different independent organizations cannot all be wrong. So Smunkee, what type of bastard children are we?

Can't donate, not enough weight.

...lucky me ;)

My Mom is O+ and my Dad is AB+, so explain to me how I am B-. My parents also told me that they typed me wrong. But, the military, University, and three different independent organizations cannot all be wrong. So Smunkee, what type of bastard children are we?

I believe the Rhesus Factor is a dominant genetic trait. If both of your parents are heterozygous for the trait, they could have each passed you the recessive trait, making you negative even though they are both positive.

It's sort of like how two brown-eyed parents can have a blue or green-eyed child.

And you have a B blood type because you likely have a B and an O gene, the B from your father and the O from your mother.

I donate everytime eligible. And have the T-shirts they give to prove it. I'm B-.

Do they always go for the same vein?

Also, do you keep your arm very straight?No to both.
I get sort of a stinging during sometimes, but it's usually because the needle has shifted a bit and if they fiddle with it a bit, they can make it go away. Not keeping your arm straight is one way you can shift the needle. I've actually had it hit the side of the vein and make this very odd vibrating noise before that scared the hell out of me. Also caused more bruising. =(I was chatting with a fellow blood-donator and felt a sting of envy not unlike what I felt during the blood-letting when he told me he didn't even feel the needle >=(

No to both.
I was chatting with a fellow blood-donator and felt a sting of envy not unlike what I felt during the blood-letting when he told me he didn't even feel the needle >=(

He was either a pretending braggart or had some serious problems with his nervous tissue, no need for envy there.

I donated about 30 times (got a nice needle for the jacket after 25 donations, along with an umbrella). But I stopped cause my iron was too low, and the iron pills they give out made me sick.

I've got 0+



And I find it pretty ridiculous to forbid people to donate merely because they engage in man-to-man sex. There are better ways to deal with those statics than to discriminate that broadly.

I don't, and frankly, I don't have a decent reason why. I don't know my blood type - from my parents, probably A, maybe AB. Also, probably +, but they could both be heterozygous, and I could be -.

That's rather selfish.
I'm rather selfish. It's a necessary consequence of having free will.
The "no money for blood" is meant to avoid creating a market for blood and treating it like any common commodity.
But it is a commodity. It's somethign that's mine, and people can't take it without my consent. You'd think they'd be allowed to offer me incentives.

homophobia aside, anal sex is really high risk behavior (as far as sex goes) I wonder often why they don't ask straight people the anal question

i wonder that every time the question arises. the question shouldn't be "have fucked a guy in the arse" but "have you had unprotected anal sex". not that that would make a difference for me, but still. *grumps*

Yeah, on a pretty regular basis.

That reminds me though, I missed my last appointment because I had flu. Must make another.

B+.

Would that I could, but I can't. Had idiopathic jaundice a couple of years back - no viral hepatitis, probably a blocked bile duct, but since I never got a definitive diagnosis, I can't donate. Just when I'd gotten over my paralytic fear of needles, too!

A rather interesting story (http://www.davidbrin.com/givingplague1.html) I just read. Mind you, it's sci fi. But.... :p

Oh, for fuck's sake. I'm sorry, but that might well be the lamest excuse I've ever heard for damn near anything.

You do know your blood regenerates right? That you don't go down a quart like a car and need to fill up?

What's your points?

Would you rather hear that I hate people and want to let them suffer for lack of blood? Or would you prefer I just throw out the excuse of a commercial?

I mean, afterall, what anyone but me says means jack shit to the issue, as it is my blood and I can use whatever excuse I want not to give it. Anyone who tries to say differently just gives more excuses to that.

What's your points?

Would you rather hear that I hate people and want to let them suffer for lack of blood? Or would you prefer I just throw out the excuse of a commercial?

I mean, afterall, what anyone but me says means jack shit to the issue, as it is my blood and I can use whatever excuse I want not to give it. Anyone who tries to say differently just gives more excuses to that.

Because, generally, when you say complete nonsense, people call you on it. It is preferable that you just admit you're selfish rather than make up reasons that we all know are crap.

homophobia aside, anal sex is really high risk behavior (as far as sex goes) I wonder often why they don't ask straight people the anal question
They don't ask gays the anal question either. I'm not into anal, neither are a slight majority of the gays I know (not large enough to be a representative sample, to be sure), but that doesn't matter.

Men who have (had) sex with men (a man) aren't allowed to donate blood.What reason do they have for doing.

*Proceeds to put on black hood and set fire to a number of heretics.*

What reason do they have for doing.

*Proceeds to put on black hood and set fire to a number of heretics.*

The Aids!

I would gladly give blood, but the vampires do not want mine (Boo Diabetes!).

Having received a transfusion or two when I was a newborn, I encourage everyone who is able to give to do so. It is a tiny inconvenience, often offset by free juice and a cookie (Yay!), and it keeps people healthy. 'Seems like a great idea to me.

I used to give blood back in the UK because there were plenty of blood drives and so on. There aren't any where I am now, so now I don't.

My blood's particularly suitable for premature babies :cool:

I'm not allowed to because I lived (and ate meat) in England during the mad cow years in the 90s.

The last time I went to donate blood it was less than a year after I had traveled to South America. Apparently Malaria was a high risk in that region so I wasn't able to give any blood.

I found that interesteing as it had been nearly a year. I asked the guy doing the screening if that meant, in theory, I could be a carrier and still contract Malaria even then, and he said that, theoretically, yes.

Later I've become sort of soured to the idea of random blood donations. I'm uncomfortable with the hospital making a cash profit on something I donate freely. I can understand them billing the patient who receives it to recover the costs of collection and storing the blood, but if it's a donation they shouldn't make a profit on it and yet I know for a fact that they do.

Either that or pay me a cut, although I really don't want any money for doing it.

I'm rather selfish. It's a necessary consequence of having free will.Nah.

I've given blood six times now. I'm B+.

I used to give blood back in the UK because there were plenty of blood drives and so on. There aren't any where I am now, so now I don't.

My blood's particularly suitable for premature babies :cool:

CMV-?

The last time I went to donate blood it was less than a year after I had traveled to South America. Apparently Malaria was a high risk in that region so I wasn't able to give any blood.

I found that interesteing as it had been nearly a year. I asked the guy doing the screening if that meant, in theory, I could be a carrier and still contract Malaria even then, and he said that, theoretically, yes.

Later I've become sort of soured to the idea of random blood donations. I'm uncomfortable with the hospital making a cash profit on something I donate freely. I can understand them billing the patient who receives it to recover the costs of collection and storing the blood, but if it's a donation they shouldn't make a profit on it and yet I know for a fact that they do.

Either that or pay me a cut, although I really don't want any money for doing it.


Thats a very good point for those that live in countries where you have to pay for your medical treatment, how does that make you feel, knowing that somebody is profiting on what you donate freely?

Thats a very good point for those that live in countries where you have to pay for your medical treatment, how does that make you feel, knowing that somebody is profiting on what you donate freely?

For me, anything I might feel about that is pretty much completely offset by the fact that (a) I understand how dangerous a system in which blood is paid for will be and (b) I recognize that the blood is used to save lives, so I'm willing to give it freely.

For me, anything I might feel about that is pretty much completely offset by the fact that (a) I understand how dangerous a system in which blood is paid for will be and (b) I recognize that the blood is used to save lives, so I'm willing to give it freely.

Not that I disagree, but would you say that the same then is true about your time?

For example would you do voluntary work at a hospital, if you knew it would save lifes?

Not that I disagree, but would you say that the same then is true about your time?

For example would you do voluntary work at a hospital, if you knew it would save lifes?

I've thought about being a candy striper (assuming they still have them) or getting into home hospice care. Unfortunately, I really don't have the time for that atm.

Don't get me wrong. I don't like the state of our healthcare system and I think there are changes that need to be made. That fact simply isn't enough to keep me from doing what I feel I can.

Make sense?

Thats a very good point for those that live in countries where you have to pay for your medical treatment, how does that make you feel, knowing that somebody is profiting on what you donate freely?

For me, anything I might feel about that is pretty much completely offset by the fact that (a) I understand how dangerous a system in which blood is paid for will be and (b) I recognize that the blood is used to save lives, so I'm willing to give it freely.

Ideally the hospital would only bill the patient what it costs to recoup the costs incurred, not to make a profit. Sort of like a Salvation Army arrangement.

I feel the same way about organ donation, but I am an organ donor so at some level the nobler cause of saving lives must supercede my own personal discomfort, just as if there was a disaster and there was a critical need I would donate, as my blood type is rare and universal (O-).

I've thought about being a candy striper (assuming they still have them) or getting into home hospice care. Unfortunately, I really don't have the time for that atm.

Don't get me wrong. I don't like the state of our healthcare system and I think there are changes that need to be made. That fact simply isn't enough to keep me from doing what I feel I can.

Make sense?


Yeah makes sense to me.

I keep getting told the pain goes away or stops after the initial poke, but it simply isn't the case with me... :mad:

Aw, so sensitive. Well, good on ya for donating in spite of that.

Because, generally, when you say complete nonsense, people call you on it. It is preferable that you just admit you're selfish rather than make up reasons that we all know are crap.

This.

Because, generally, when you say complete nonsense, people call you on it. It is preferable that you just admit you're selfish rather than make up reasons that we all know are crap.

And this somehow negates the fact that, as the blood is a physical part of me, I can do what I choose with it for whatever reason I want, or no reason at all, regardless of how stupid or genius that reason is? As long as it's still in me. If they develop a way to retrieve dead blood cells from crap, reanimate them and use them for transfusions, then by all means be my guest with my crap for that. But as long as it's in and a part of my body, it's my say, regardless of the logic of whatever reason I choose to use. I could decide that I don't want to give blood because I hate the colour purple, and there would be no reason anyone could change that.

Or are you trying to say I have no right to my own body?

But as long as it's in and a part of my body, it's my say, regardless of the logic of whatever reason I choose to use. I could decide that I don't want to give blood because I hate the colour purple, and there would be no reason anyone could change that.
How on earth would that be logical?

Or are you trying to say I have no right to my own body?
It would be interesting if they had a policy where you could be refused blood unless you gave blood (though such a policy should not be applied to people who can't give blood due to psychological or physical reasons.

To the topic: I donate blood plasma.

And this somehow negates the fact that, as the blood is a physical part of me, I can do what I choose with it for whatever reason I want, or no reason at all, regardless of how stupid or genius that reason is? As long as it's still in me. If they develop a way to retrieve dead blood cells from crap, reanimate them and use them for transfusions, then by all means be my guest with my crap for that. But as long as it's in and a part of my body, it's my say, regardless of the logic of whatever reason I choose to use. I could decide that I don't want to give blood because I hate the colour purple, and there would be no reason anyone could change that.

Or are you trying to say I have no right to my own body?

Not at all. I just hope you never need a transfusion. You might actually be introduced to the concept of doing something for the greater good. :rolleyes:

I'm O- which makes me the universal donor. I give as often as I can.
Well, I'm A+ and it seems to be in just as much need around here as any other. So I donate every 56 days. The Red Cross is down the street and it's easy.

In college, I donated plasma every two or three days, or whatever was allowed. They paid $10 a pint, I think. It was enough to stretch my little scholarship into a decent lifestyle. Decent meaning dinner every night, sometimes with meat.

Well, I'm A+ and it seems to be in just as much need around here as any other. So I donate every 56 days. The Red Cross is down the street and it's easy.

In college, I donated plasma every two or three days, or whatever was allowed. They paid $10 a pint, I think. It was enough to stretch my little scholarship into a decent lifestyle. Decent meaning dinner every night, sometimes with meat.

We don't get money for it, just the feeling that you are doing something for the community. Though I guess you could call a free snack some kind of payment...

Also: Every 56 days?!? Every 2-3 days?!? It's a 3 month wait with whole blood and 2 weeks for plasma over here.

I knew someone who spent 5-6 days a week eating nothing but plain rice with a bit of soy-sauce.

We don't get money for it, just the feeling that you are doing something for the community. Though I guess you could call a free snack some kind of payment...

Also: Every 56 days?!? Every 2-3 days?!? It's a 3 month wait with whole blood and 2 weeks for plasma over here.

I knew someone who spent 5-6 days a week eating nothing but plain rice with a bit of soy-sauce.
Whole blood, to the Red Cross is a donation. Plasma can be sold. At least it could back in the Stone Ages when I was an undergrad. And I'm just as sure I could go twice a week. Of course, memory is a funny thing... But I just checked. Twice in seven days is okay. There were two different plasma centers in town, though, and they didn't seem to communicate much... When I was running a little short, I could always go to the 'other' one...